Consultation on latest plans for new Westgate

A FRESH round of public consultations is to start on the next stage of the £400m redevelopment of the Westgate Centre.

The developers behind the scheme will be canvassing people’s opinions on the new, detailed designs next week.

The designs are being finalised by several world-famous architectural firms before a planning application is submitted later this year.

Sara Fuge, development manager at the Westgate Oxford Alliance, said: “We are very excited to share with local people our emerging detailed designs which will create a well-designed contemporary development that is unique to Oxford, restoring the heart of the West End.”

The redevelopment of the shopping centre will include a John Lewis store, cafes, restaurants, shops and a cinema.

Now four architectural firms are drawing up plans for exactly how the buildings will look, including Glenn Howells which designed the Stirling Prize-nominated Savill Building in Windsor. It is hoped that the new centre will open in 2017.

City councillor Colin Cook, the executive board member for city development, said: “The developers were extremely receptive to suggestions that came forward as a result of their initial consultation and amended their plans, so I have confidence in them being able to listen to the points that will be made to them.”

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The public exhibition runs from Friday, April 25, to Wednesday, April 30, between 10am and 5.30pm at the consultation suite in the Westgate Centre. People can also see plans on westgateoxfordconsultation. co.uk from April 25. Another exhibition is expected to take place in the summer.